January 30, 2003

Hotel Online  Special Report Chao “Robert” Zheng Named by WATG as Director of Business Development, Greater China HONOLULU, March 2003 - Ronald J. Holecek, AIA, president and chief executive officer of Wimberly Allison Tong & Goo Architects, Designers, Planners and Consultants (WATG), has announced the promotion of Chao “Robert” Zheng to Director of Business Development, Greater China.    “We have valued Robert’s contributions to WATG’s overall success and especially as it relates to the firm’s work in China,” states Holecek.  “Zheng will continue to work out of WATG’s Honolulu office, where he will l...

Reactivated HSIA Systems Started Life As Darwin Revenue-Sharing Sites / March 2003

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online  Special Report  Reactivated HSIA Systems Started Life As Darwin "Revenue-Sharing" Sites RICHARDSON, TEXAS, March 4, 2003 - Ze-Net Technologies, Inc. and General Hotels Corporation announced today that Ze-Net has reactivated eight former Darwin Networks High-Speed Internet Access (HSIA) sites that were installed during the "revenue-sharing" boom, and then abandoned following Darwin's withdrawal from the market. Background In the late 90's, High-Speed Internet Access emerged as the hot, new technology amenity for hotels.  Momentum was driven by the belief that for HSIA-equipped properties, users would provid...

Bob Zappatelli Named Corporate Director of Food and Beverage for Benchmark Hospitality / March 2003

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online  Special Report  Bob Zappatelli Named Corporate Director of Food and Beverage for Benchmark Hospitality THE WOODLANDS, TEXAS, March 2003 … Benchmark Hospitality has promoted Bob Zappatelli to corporate director of food and beverage. Sam Haigh, chief operating officer for Benchmark, made the announcement. As corporate director of food and beverage, Mr. Zappatelli will lead the overall food and beverage programming for the 25 properties in Benchmark Hospitality’s portfolio.  His responsibilities will include system-wide food and beverage communications, operating procedures, kitchen and outlet design,...

Louisville International Airport Board Selects Wyndham to Manage and Brand New Airport Hotel Project / March 2003

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online  Special Report Louisville International Airport Board Selects Wyndham to Manage and Brand New Airport Hotel Project Opening Summer 2005 DALLAS (March 13, 2002) – Wyndham International, Inc. (AMEX:WBR) announced today that it was selected to manage a soon-to-be-built hotel at Louisville International Airport and has agreed to provide pre-opening technical, consulting and management services to the Regional Airport Authority of Louisville and Jefferson County, which owns and operates Louisville International Airport and Bowman Field.  The future Wyndham Louisville International Airport, currently schedule...

Regulatory Approval Sought by Accor, Six Continents and Hilton International to Invest in WorldRes Europe / March 2003

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online  Special Report Regulatory Approval Sought by Accor, Six Continents and Hilton International to Invest in WorldRes Europe BERLIN, Germany - March 10, 2003 -- Three of Europe's largest hotel companies -- Accor, Six Continents and Hilton International -- have invested in WorldRes Europe, a new joint venture created to market and sell hotels online throughout Europe. WorldRes is contributing its reservation technology and European subsidiary. This agreement is currently under review by the European Commission regulatory approval. "We have been a WorldRes partner and investor since 2000. They continue to in...

Texas Bill Would Triple State Taxes on French Wine / March 2003

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality Executive Texas Bill Would Triple State Taxes on French Wine The Dallas Morning News Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News  Mar. 15--AUSTIN, Texas–Because of France's opposition to American efforts against Iraq, a Texas lawmaker has introduced legislation that would triple state taxes on French wine.  "The French have made it known where they stand, so I thought I would do the same," said Rep. Wayne Christian, R-Center.  Under the measure, the state's taxes on French wine would increase threefold – up from the rate of 20.4 cents per gallon.  In addition, a 14 percent liquor tax t...

Sven Wiedenhaupt Appointed Director of Food and Beverage for InterContinental The Barclay New York / March 2003

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online  Special Report Sven Wiedenhaupt Appointed Director of Food and Beverage for InterContinental The Barclay New York NEW YORK, NY -- (March 17, 2003) - Sven Wiedenhaupt has been appointed to the position of Director of Food and Beverage for InterContinental The Barclay New York.  Wiedenhaupt is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the hotel’s food and beverage and catering departments.  The hotel has one restaurant, The Barclay Bar & Grill, in addition to a well appointed Private Dining Room and eighteen beautifully designed conference rooms totaling over 13,800 square feet with catering ...

Westin Charlotte Opening Delayed for the Fourth Time in Eight Months; 15 Groups Bumped / March 2003

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality Executive Westin Charlotte Opening Delayed for the Fourth Time in Eight Months; 15 Groups Bumped By Leigh Dyer, The Charlotte Observer, N.C. Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News  Mar. 7, 2003 - The Westin hotel in uptown Charlotte won't open in March after all.  For the fourth time in eight months, officials have announced a delay in the Westin's opening date -- this time to April.  Events scheduled for March at the partially taxpayer-financed hotel are being moved to alternate locations, Westin General Manager Jon Kimball said Thursday.  Westin officials hope to set a specific d...

Nick Welyhorskyj Returns to Wyndham Bel Age as Senior Sales Manager / March 2003

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online  Special Report  Nick Welyhorskyj Returns to Wyndham Bel Age as Senior Sales Manager WEST HOLLYWOOD, CALIF. (March 6, 2003) - Exactly two years to the day after he left the Wyndham Bel Age, Nick Welyhorskyj has returned to the West Hollywood property as the new senior sales manager specializing in entertainment, production and cosmetics.  "While I was in Detroit, the property completed a major renovation, so I feel like I have come home to an old friend who has had 'a little work done,'" stated Welyhorskyj.  "Because of his great sales track record, when we heard Nick was returning to L.A., we acti...

Waterford Hotel Group Annual Executive Conference Reflects Associate-Focused Corporate Culture; Michael Scavotto, Courtyard by Marriott, Concord, NH N

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online  Special Report Waterford Hotel Group Annual Executive Conference Reflects Associate-Focused Corporate Culture;  Michael Scavotto, Courtyard by Marriott, Concord, NH Named GM of the Year Groton, CT (March 13, 2003) – Waterford Hotel Group convened nearly 100 of its general managers, directors of sales, and corporate staff at its Mystic Marriott Hotel & Spa here last month for its 13th annual Executive Conference. And though the three-day event featured the customary executive updates, seminars and training sessions, its focus was undeniably directed at associate recognition and appreciation. ...

Waterford Hotel Group Awarded Management of Two FFC Hospitality, LLC Owned Courtyard by Marriott Properties / March 2003

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online  Special Report   Waterford Hotel Group Awarded Management of Two FFC Hospitality, LLC Owned Courtyard by Marriott Properties Waterford, CT  (March 12, 2003) – Waterford Hotel Group, Inc. has entered into two management agreements with FFC Hospitality, LLC to operate the Courtyard by Marriott in Orange, CT and the Courtyard by Marriott in Westborough, MA.  Under the new contracts, Waterford Hotel Group assumed management of the two Courtyards on March 1, 2003.  The addition of these management contracts brings the Connecticut-based hotel management firm’s portfolio to 29, 15 of which are Marriott-...

3rd Global Travel & Tourism Summit Set for Vilamoura, Portugal May 15th – 17, 2003; Line Up of Speakers / March 2003

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online  Special Report 3rd Global Travel & Tourism Summit Set for Vilamoura, Portugal May 15th - 17, 2003; Line Up of Speakers March 21, 2003 - The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) today announced the line up of speakers and the agenda for its 3rd Global Summit that will take place in Vilamoura, Portugal over the period of May 15th - 17th. Confirmed speakers include Neil Armstrong, the astronaut, the President and Prime Minister of Portugal (Jorge Sampaio and José Manuel Durão Barroso), the Chairmen of American Express (Ken Chenault), Carlson Hospitality Worldwide (Curtis Nelson), Continental ...

Mayor Willie L. Brown and Officials of the San Francisco CVB Converge on Chicago and Washington DC for Convention / Tourism Sales Mission / March 2003

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online  Special Report Mayor Willie L. Brown and Officials of the San Francisco CVB Converge on Chicago and Washington DC for Convention / Tourism Sales Mission San Francisco - March 21, 2003 - Mayor Willie L. Brown will join officials of the San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau and 32 representatives of the city’s tourism industry on a convention sales mission to Chicago and Washington DC to host a “Crab Feast With The Mayor” in both cities with some 275 top convention planners. The Convention & Visitors Bureau is organizing the trip to impress upon regular clients just how important their me...

Dolce International Selects Virtual-Agent Services / March 2003

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online  Special Report Dolce International Selects Virtual-Agent Services Schaumburg IL (March 19, 2002) – Virtual-Agent Services (VAS), a high quality provider of contact center solutions, announced today that Dolce International has selected VAS to provide 24/7 reservations services for Dolce’s new Central Reservations Office (CRO) and new toll-free access line: 800-98-DOLCE. The partnership with VAS is designed to allow Dolce International’s properties to provide continued high quality service to customers. Michael Grossman, Corporate Director of Global Distribution for Dolce International, commented, “Proper...

Virtual-Agent Services Contact Center Capabilities Voted 'Best Outsourcing Services in the US' by End-Users/ March 2003

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online  Special Report Virtual-Agent Services Contact Center Capabilities Voted “Best Outsourcing Services in the US” by End-Users March 3, 2003 (Schaumburg, IL)  - Virtual-Agent Services, a leading contact center/customer service agent provider, has won the US award for “Best Outsourcing Services” in the 1st Annual Members’ Choice Awards hosted by ContactCenterWorld.com.  Virtual-Agent Services (VAS) supports hotel reservations services for Concorde Hotels, HubX, iHotelier, Passkey and others, as well as contact center capabilities for a variety of other industries and clients including CVS Pharmacy and Roa...

Las Vegas Resorts Heighten Security Measures / March 2003

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality Executive Las Vegas Resorts Heighten Security Measures By Rod Smith, Las Vegas Review-Journal Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News  Mar. 18, 2003 -- The promise of imminent hostilities in the Middle East left casino executives resolved on Monday to implement heightened security measures but in no panic over marketing programs. Specific security measures likely to be added will be tied to the federal alert status, most casino operators said.  "If we go to red, then there definitely would be noticeable changes (in security evident to customers and employees)," said Boyd Gaming Corp...

Orlando Ritz-Carlton Contracts Nationaly Recognized Chef Norman Van Aken to Operate Restaurant / March 2003

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality Executive Orlando Ritz-Carlton Contracts Nationaly Recognized Chef Norman Van Aken to Operate Restaurant By Scott Joseph, The Orlando Sentinel, Fla. Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News  Mar. 20--Another nationally recognized celebrity chef has announced plans for an Orlando restaurant, but this one starts out with Florida roots.  Norman Van Aken, credited as one of the pioneers of South Florida's New World cuisine, has announced he will bring a version of his Coral Gables restaurant, Norman's, to the Ritz-Carlton Grande Lakes Orlando resort currently under construction in south Orla...

Owner of 114-unit Days Inn in South Carolina Turns Keys in to Lender; Trigild Re-opens Property Within 24 Hours / Mar 2003

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online Special Report  Owner of 114-unit Days Inn in South Carolina Turns Keys in to Lender; Trigild Re-opens Property Within 24 Hours San Diego, CA - March 2003 – Trigild International, Inc., a subsidiary of AFM Hospitality Corporation (TSX:AFM), today announced it has recently taken on management of a 114-unit Days Inn franchised hotel located in South Carolina.  “We were hired by the lender to do an operational assessment of the hotel but when our consultant arrived, the owner gave the keys to him and said he was calling it quits,” states Judy Hoffman, Trigild Sr. Vice President.  “We quickly contacted...

Travel Web Sites Defy Travel-Industry Trend / March 2003

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality Executive Travel Web Sites Defy Travel-Industry Trend By Andrea Ahles, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Texas Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News  Mar. 24--Last year, airlines filed for bankruptcy, hotel rooms sat empty and cruise ships were quarantined in port.  But online travel sites flourished, selling more than $35.7 billion in travel products.  Even with the war in Iraq, the travel dot-coms are poised to have another blockbuster year, expecting double-digit revenue growth in 2003.  "The leisure travel business has been very resilient, and people, in many respects, view travel as a...

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online  Special Report - Prime Hospitality Corp. Selects TravelCLICK’s Hotelligence CHICAGO (March 21, 2003) — Richard W. Gray, chairman and co-CEO of TravelCLICK, announced today that Prime Hospitality Corp. is extending TravelCLICK’s Hotelligence report to its AmeriSuites and Wellesley Inn properties and the new Prime Hotels and Resorts brand. Prime Hospitality Corp. is now using TravelCLICK’s Hotelligence report as a tool to augment strategic planning, increase worldwide market share and boost revenues.  Hotelligence provides electronic booking performance data from the Global Distribution Systems (GDS), a...

Property and Chain Web Sites Drive 60% of All Room Night Revenues Booked via Internet in 2003; Over 100 Hotels Already Utilizing New TravelCLICK Inter

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online  Special Report - Property and Chain Web Sites Drive 60% of All Room Night Revenues Booked via Internet in 2003 - Over 100 Hotels Already Utilizing New TravelCLICK Interactive Division To Maximize Business Direct to Hotel Property Web Sites CHICAGO (March 19, 2003) - TravelCLICK reported today that in its 2003 forecast for electronic hotel bookings, direct distribution through individual property or chain Web sites will be 1.5 times the size of the third party Internet marketplace. While third party Web sites such as Priceline, Expedia and Orbitz will remain key sources of room nights, many hotelier...

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online  Special Report - Hyatt Selects TravelCLICK’s RateVIEW Chicago IL (March 11, 2003) – Ray Cohen, president and co-CEO of TravelCLICK, announced today that Hyatt Hotels Corporation is extending TravelCLICK’s RateVIEW Internet rate intelligence tool to all 123 of its North American properties. TravelCLICK’s RateVIEW provides Hyatt hotels with the most advanced technology for accessing competitive Internet and GDS rate information, in real time. RateVIEW enables hotels to generate rate comparison reports on their competitive set in a wide range of channels, based on user-defined criteria. RateVIEW is the on...

Toxic Mold – Life Threat or Tempest in a Teapot? / The Global Hospitality Advisor / JMBM / March 2003

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online  Special Report The Global Hospitality Advisor - Toxic Mold . Life Threat or Tempest in a Teapot? March 2003 Toxic mold and other indoor air quality concerns have become a hot-button issue for thousands of people in hospitality, lending, insurance and real estate related service industries.  Mold contamination has been discovered in water-damaged hotels, resorts, and other structures across the nation and has raised the specter of health hazards and financial ruin. While some say toxic mold is the “next asbestos” in terms of mass litigation and insurance risk, in most cases, a few common ...

A Delegation of 113 Thai Tourism Executives Head to International Tourism Bourse 2003 in Berlin / March 2003

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality Executive A Delegation of 113 Thai Tourism Executives Head to International Tourism Bourse 2003 in Berlin By Imtiaz Muqbil, Bangkok Post, Thailand Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News  Mar. 3, 2003 - A delegation of 113 Thai tourism industry executives will head off to the German capital of Berlin this week to attend the world's largest trade show, which is facing a serious threat of disruption if a war breaks out in Iraq.  While organisers of the International Tourism Bourse 2003 insist they have received no cancellations so far, delegates from Asia-Pacific are apprehensive that t...